The Dangerous Rescue

16

Faced with the evidence, Uta S’orn crumbled.

“Yes,” she said. “I altered the record.”

She sat on a bench, her hands dangling between her knees. The grounds were quiet now, with most of the patients back in the Ward Domes.

“I had to,” Uta S’orn said. “She had my son.”

“So you altered the Senate record in order to save him,” Adi prodded gently.

S’orn nodded. “And then she released him. But something went wrong. He was found dead. She told me that he had tried to break back into the lab, and Ona Nobis had killed him. I don’t know whether to believe her, but what can I do? I broke Senate laws. My son is dead. The only thing left for me is to devote myself to the people of Belasco, the only way I can. I cannot imagine why Jenna would contact me again. She must be here for another purpose. Surely she will leave me alone now, after all she’s done.”

Usually, Uta S’orn’s manner was brusque and impatient. Now Obi-Wan saw how deeply her grief ran. Her voice trembled, and her eyes were full of tears.

A tall man dressed in rich robes approached, followed by royal droid guards. Although his hair was silver, his face was youthful.

“Uta, are you all right? Do I need to eject these people?”

She hurriedly wiped her eyes. “No. This is our Leader, Min K’atel,” she said to the others.

Qui-Gon and Adi bowed. “We are Jedi Knights Qui-Gon Jinn and Adi Gallia, and these are our Padawans, Obi-Wan Kenobi and Siri.”

The Leader gave a short nod. “I don’t care if you are Jedi, you are not to disturb Uta S’orn.”

“They speak of things I’d rather forget,” Uta S’orn said. “I don’t mean to blame them, but—”

“Your distress is enough,” Min K’atel said. He turned to the Jedi. “I must request that you leave the royal grounds. You have upset Belasco’s greatest Senator.”

“We are just leaving,” Qui-Gon said politely. The Jedi bowed and made their way out of the glade. As they struck out across the lawn, Obi-Wan said, “I have never seen Uta S’orn so affected before.”

“Yes, she seemed so,” Qui-Gon said. “But you noticed she manipulated the Leader so that he would throw us out.”

“She is lying,” Adi said.

Qui-Gon shot Adi a quick glance. “You are certain?”

Adi nodded. “I don’t know why. Something in her words is false.” Her steps slowed, and she stopped. “I feel that he is here. Somewhere near.”

“Moor is on the royal grounds?” Qui-Gon asked. “Let’s return to Min K’atel and demand that he search.”

Adi shook her head. “It’s only a feeling.”

“That is all we have! What good are your instincts, Adi, if you do not trust them?”

Adi met his gaze sternly. “I trust them. But I do not expect them to sway others. We cannot involve a government in our investigation without proof. You know that as well as I do.”

Qui-Gon struggled with his impatience. His mind was tired, his body spent. He was not connecting to the Force as Adi was. His ragged nerves screamed for an end to this.

Adi had spoken to him of cooperation and loyalty. He would have to submit to her wishes now. She had just as much right to choose a direction as he did.

“What, then?” he asked. “What do you suggest?”

“Let us follow our suspicions to the logical next step,” Adi said. “We must have permission to search those grounds. Min K’atel is not likely to give it to us as things stand. We will have to convince him. There is one last place to go.”

Qui-Gon nodded. “The water purification plant. But we’ll never get permission to enter.”

“Then we’ll just have to break in,” Adi said grimly. “Yes, sometimes I do act on my instincts, Qui-Gon. The answer lies there.”